How to permanently remove Google Assistant from Xiaomi phone: 5 working ways

Why Xiaomi users want to get rid of Google Assistant – and can it be done completely?

Owners of Xiaomi, Redmi and POCO smartphones often face a situation where the built-in Google Assistant gets in the way: it spontaneously activates when holding the Home button, consumes battery power in the background and collects user data. This is especially annoying on budget models (for example, Redmi Note 10 or POCO X3 Pro), where every percent of autonomy counts. But here is the problem: Google Assistant is integrated into the MIUI firmware at the system level, and simply removing the icon from the desktop will not work.

In this article, we’ll look at all the possible ways, from basic shutdown to complete removal with ADB and superuser rights (root).It’s important to understand that the effectiveness of methods depends on the version of MIUI (12, 13 or 14) and the phone model. For example, on the Xiaomi 13 Pro with the latest firmware, some tricks may not work due to the tightened restrictions of Google Mobile Services (GMS).

Before we get started, the main question is: can you remove the assistant forever without rooting rights? Technically, but with reservations, it will stay in the system, just stop starting. Complete erasure will require interference with system files, which can lead to loss of warranty and risk of "filling" the device. If you are ready for experiments, we will proceed.

Method 1: Basic disabling of the assistant through the MIUI settings

The easiest and safest method is to deactivate the assistant in settings.It won't delete the app, but will prevent accidental launches and reduce background activity.It's suitable for all Xiaomi models, including the Redmi 9A, POCO F4 and Mi 11 series flagships.

Instructions:

• 📱 Open the Settings. → Annexes → Application management.
• 🔍 In the search bar, type “Google Assistant” (or Google App).
• ⚙️ Tap on the app, then select Disable (if the button is inactive, first click Remove Updates).
• 🔕 Back to Settings → System system → Gestures and turn off the option to start Google Assistant when holding the Home button.

This method will reduce the load on the battery, but will not remove the service itself. the Assistant will still take up space in memory (about 200-300 MB) and periodically update through Google Play.

⚠️ Attention: On some firmware MIUI 14 (for example, on Xiaomi) 12T) Disable option may be blocked.In this case, try first to remove all Google app updates, then repeat the steps.

Method 2: Disconnect via ADB (without root rights)

If the basic settings didn’t work, the next step is to use Android Debug Bridge (ADB), a method that doesn’t require superuser rights, but requires connecting the phone to a computer, and is suitable for MIUI 12-14, including the Redmi Note 11 and POCO X5 Pro.

What you need:

• 💻 Computer with Windows, macOS or Linux.
• 📱 USB-cable (preferably original).
• 🔧 Installed drivers ADB Fastboot (you can download from Google website).
• 🔓 Included debugging by USB (Settings → The phone. → Version. MIUI — Tap 7 times, then go back to Settings → Additionally. → For developers → Debugging by USB).

Step-by-step:

1. Connect the phone to the PC and confirm the debugging permission.
2. Open the command prompt (cmd on Windows or Terminal on macOS/Linux) and type:

adb devices

(Your device name should appear – if not, check the drivers.)

1. Execute the command to disable the assistant:

adb shell pm uninstall -k --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

If there is a mistake DELETE_FAILED_INTERNAL_ERROR, Try an alternative team:

adb shell pm disable-user --user 0 com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

When the phone is restarted, the assistant will stop running, but its files will remain in the system.

adb shell pm enable com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox

⚠️ Note: Some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 13 Ultra after update MIUI setting ADB To avoid this, please use the command adb shell pm grant com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox before updating. android.permission.WRITE_SECURE_SETTINGS.

Method 3: Removal with root rights (for power users)

If you're willing to take the risk of root access, you can remove the assistant forever, which is a method that works for MIUI firmware with the bootloader unlocked, and remember, unlocking the bootloader will reset all data, and root may be unwarranted.

What needs to be done:

1. Unlock the bootloader via Mi Unlock Tool (instructions are available on the Xiaomi website).
2. Install custom Recovery (TWRP) and flash Magisk to get root.
3. Use a root-access file manager (such as Root Explorer) and delete the following folders:

/system/priv-app/Velvet/


/system/priv-app/GoogleQuickSearchBox/




/data/data/com.google.android.googlequicksearchbox/

Once deleted, restart your phone. The assistant will disappear from the system, but other Google services (such as Google Play Store or Gmail) may have problems. To avoid crashes, back up your folders before deleting.

Method 4: Use of custom firmware (alternative root)

If you don’t want to mess with root but are willing to sacrifice the official firmware, you can install custom MIUI build without Google services (e.g. MIUI EU or Pixel Experience), a radical method, but it is guaranteed to remove the assistant and other unnecessary applications.

Pros of the method:

• 🚀 Delete all Google services (including the Assistant).
• 🔋 Increased autonomy due to the absence of background processes.
• 🛡️ Greater control over the system.

Cons:

• 🔄 Loss of official air updates (OTA).
• 🔐 Security risk (Castom firmware may contain vulnerabilities).
• 📱 Not all camera and sensor functions can work properly.

How to determine:

1. Unlock the bootloader (as in method 3).
2. Download the appropriate firmware from the XDA Developers forum or MIUI EU website.
3. Fly through TWRP or Fastboot.

💡

Before installing custom firmware, check its compatibility with your model on the 4PDA or XDA forum. Some builds (for example, for POCO F3) require additional patches to properly operate the camera module.

Method 5: Alternative launchers for blocking the assistant

If previous methods seem too complicated, you can go a workaround – install an alternative launcher (for example, Nova Launcher or Lawnchair), which will allow you to reassign the action of the Home button.

How it works:

• 🎯 Launcher intercepts pressing Home button and blocks assistant call.
• 🔧 In the launcher settings, you can disable all gestures associated with Google Assistant.
• 📱 Suitable for models where the assistant is only launched via a button (e.g. Redmi). A2 or POCO M5).

Instructions:

1. Install Nova Launcher from Google Play.
2. Go to Launcher Settings → Gestures and controls → Home button.
3. Select the Do Nothing action or Open the app (e.g. Google Search without an assistant).

This method does not remove the assistant, but makes it inaccessible through hardware buttons. Background processes will continue to work, so combine it with Method 2 (ADB) to optimize completely.

💡

Alternative launchers are the only method that does not require system intervention and are suitable for devices with a locked bootloader (e.g. Redmi 10 2022).

What if the assistant returns after the MIUI update?

One of the most common problems is that the Google Assistant reappears after a firmware update, which is because MIUI restores system applications when major updates occur.

• 🔄 Reverse to the previous version MIUI Fastboot (instructions are available on Xiaomi Firmware Updater).

On some models (e.g. Xiaomi) 12S Ultra after updating to MIUI 14 Assistants can return even after ADB-In this case, only root or custom firmware will help.

⚠️ Note: If you use Google Pay or other banking applications, disabling Google services may result in the blocking of these services due to SafetyNet.

FAQ: Frequent questions about removing assistant from Xiaomi